Showing posts with label help. Show all posts
Showing posts with label help. Show all posts

8/17/10

Article: 9 Ways Happiness Leads to Success

9 Ways Happiness Leads to Success

January 15, 2008
Meditation
[Image credit: premasagar]
The psychological literature clearly shows there is a strong relationship between success and happiness. For example, people who have a comfortable income, or high status in society are usually happiest. But which one comes first, happiness or success?

There's almost an unwritten assumption that it is primarily success that leads to happiness. This is tacitly backed up by psychological research which tends to talk about how success affects happiness.
Of course it's not an either/or situation. The two are probably interrelated in all sorts of complicated ways. But to only talk about how success leads to happiness is ignoring half the story. So says psychologist Professor Sonja Lyubomirsky and colleagues who have pointed out there is plenty of evidence that happiness can, in fact, lead to success (Lyubomirsky, King & Diener, 2005).
The best evidence that happiness causes success comes from experimental studies. These usually work by inducing participants into positive and negative moods and then comparing their behavior in particular situations like social interactions or health behaviors.
These studies have produced a raft of fascinating results, finding that people in a positive mood are more likely to:
  1. Talk to others. In one experiment men in a positive mood were more likely to talk to a woman and to make self-disclosures, which are important in social relations.
  2. Be interested in leisure activities. People in a good mood want to throw a party, go on vacation or go out for a meal.
  3. Enjoy those social interactions and leisure activities more.
  4. Resolve conflicts effectively. Studies have found people in a good mood are more likely to try and collaborate rather than avoid conflict and compete when they are put in a positive mood.
  5. Help others. When in a good mood, people are more likely to display what psychologists call 'pro-social behavior' - helping others and being generous with both time and money.
  6. Feel healthier. Experimental evidence shows that people in a good mood experience less pain and perceive themselves to be more healthy.
  7. Be more creative. People in a positive mood are more likely to think with originality and flexibility - perhaps through encouraging playfulness.
  8. Perform complex tasks better. Somewhat controversial this one but some evidence supports it although it probably depends on the nature of the task.
  9. Attribute success to their own skills. Good moods improve people's self-efficacy (our confidence in our own abilities).
The strength of this evidence is that it is based on experimental studies with control groups which provide some of the most persuasive data in science. On the other hand it's important to note that positive affect isn't the only factor that's involved in success - there are plenty others. Still, this is an impressive list.

Making room for happiness

How we think about happiness and success has profound implications for how we run our lives. If we think that success mainly leads to happiness then we are more motivated to focus on success to the exclusion of happiness right now, assuming that happiness will naturally flow from success when we obtain it.
If the psychological research is right, though, the strategy would still be to pursue success, but not, crucially, to the exclusion of happiness. Feeling better in the moment is not only more pleasant but is also likely to open our minds to opportunities at work, play and in our personal relationships. It's recognizing and taking these opportunities that will lead us to success.

References
Lyubomirsky, S., King, L. & Diener, E. (2005) The benefits of frequent positive affect: Does happiness lead to success? Psychological Bulletin, 131, 803-855.
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3/30/10

How Celebrities Give Back

English: Mary J Blige
English: Mary J Blige (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Taken From: http://www.successmagazine.com/channel?taxonomyId=24

Mary J. Blige is Lending Her Voice
Marie Speed March 2, 2010

Mary J. Blige is intent on inspiring and empowering other women to reach their potential. But first, she had to overcome her own demons.



Nnamdi Asomugha: Making a Difference in His Native Nigeria and the Next Generation Here at Home
Don Yaeger February 1, 2010

Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was taught that giving was a responsibility. Today, the NFL standout works to defend those without anyone else on their team.

John Walsh: America's Most Wanted Victims' Advocate
Don Yaeger January 15, 2010

John Walsh is America's most visible advocate for victims of violent crimes and crime prevention. But the host of America's Most Wanted first had to turn tragedy into a force for good.

Mary Tyler Moore: Making a Difference in the Fight Against Type 1 Diabetes

Judy Alexandra DiEdwardo December 29, 2009

Mary Tyler Moore initially denied her diabetes diagnosis. Gradually, came acceptance and then advocacy--to raise awareness, funding and to give a face to the 3 million Americans with type 1 diabetes.

(1) Comments

Alicia Keys: Finding Purpose Beyond Music and Hitting All the Right Keys
Mike Zimmerman November 30, 2009

Alicia Keys was in command of her award-winning music career when she was just a teen--winning her first Grammy before she could legally vote. But recently, she realized her intense focus on the music had a downside. Read how she discovered and is fulfilling her life's purpose today.

SUCCESS Legend Series: Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
Marie-Louise Cook November 2, 2009

As an orphaned child, Wayne W. Dyer learned the secrets to a successful life. What can he teach us?

(4) Comments

Profiles in Greatness: The Kennedy Legacy

Amy Anderson November 2, 2009

The Kennedy family legacy is one of service. Passed from generation to generation, these values provide lessons for the rest of us.

Attitude is Everything!

SUCCESS Staff October 28, 2009

Read about the inspiring life of this personal-development pioneer who passed away on Oct. 26 but whose legacy of positive thinking lives on.


(SUC940-010) Nnamdi Asomugha: Making a Difference in His Native Nigeria and the Next Generation Here at Home



February 1, 2010

Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha was taught that giving was a responsibility. Today, the NFL standout works to defend those without anyone else on their team.

John Walsh: America's Most Wanted Victims' Advocate



January 15, 2010

John Walsh is America's most visible advocate for victims of violent crimes and crime prevention. But the host of America's Most Wanted first had to turn tragedy into a force for good.

Mary Tyler Moore: Making a Difference in the Fight Against Type 1 Diabetes



December 29, 2009

Mary Tyler Moore initially denied her diabetes diagnosis. Gradually, came acceptance and then advocacy--to raise awareness, funding and to give a face to the 3 million Americans with type 1 diabetes.

Alicia Keys: Finding Purpose Beyond Music and Hitting All the Right Keys



November 30, 2009

Alicia Keys was in command of her award-winning music career when she was just a teen--winning her first Grammy before she could legally vote. But recently, she realized her intense focus on the music had a downside. Read how she discovered and is fulfilling her life's purpose today.

SUCCESS Legend Series: Dr. Wayne W. Dyer



November 2, 2009

As an orphaned child, Wayne W. Dyer learned the secrets to a successful life. What can he teach us?

Profiles in Greatness: The Kennedy Legacy



November 2, 2009

The Kennedy family legacy is one of service. Passed from generation to generation, these values provide lessons for the rest of us.

Live Your Legacy



October 12, 2009

Have you thought about how you'd like to be remembered? Read inspiring insights from Jim Rohn, John C. Maxwell, Ken Dychtwald and Chris Widener.

Good Business




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12/27/09

How to get the Most out of Life.

English: Zen Habits Logo
English: Zen Habits Logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I read this article in the Guidepost and had to share it.

6 Questions to Ask Yourself to

Get the Most Out of Life

Start living!


I love reading lists of things to do before you die , but after reading several of these lists, I've realized that each list is a very personal thing. It can only apply to the writer of the list, and not to all human beings in general. No such list can do that.
And think about this: if you're trying to follow a list of things to do before you die...trying to check things off the list, just to say you've done it...what's the point, really? To be able to tell people you've done it? To follow the life prescription of some writer?
I won't try to tell you what to do before you die...but I will suggest some questions to figure out how to live...right now. Each and every day
Because you never know how much time you have left, and trying to cram a list of things into that unknown time can be futile. Instead, live every day to the fullest. Get the most out of life.
1. Who do I love, and what am I doing about it?
When someone dies (two of my kids' grandmother just died, so I've been thinking about this a lot), you realize that you never know how much time you have with the people you love. They can go at any time—as can you. And so you must make the most of this time.
If you aren't spending time with the people you love, change that. If you are holding a grudge against a family member, let it go and reconcile. If you've done something to hurt a loved one, ask for forgiveness. Drop the pride, and make up. If you haven't seen someone in awhile, call them now to set up a date.
2. Am I pursuing my dream, or is fear stopping me?What have you always wanted to do? Maybe something you dreamed of as a child but have given up as unrealistic? Maybe something you still want to do but are afraid of failing? What fears are stopping you? And what would be the worst that could happen if you overcame those fears and pursued your dream?
If you're already pursuing your dream, pat yourself on the back. You're doing awesome!
3. Am I doing something that matters?
There's a difference between doing work, and doing work that really matters. Much of the time, we use up the few days we have on this earth with busy-work, stuff that doesn't make much difference, and that's sadly a waste of our lives.
Recently on Dumb Little Man [1], writer Ali Hale suggested you ask yourself, "Will this matter in five years?" I think this is a great question. It helps you distinguish between trivial busy-work that will take up all of your time but not matter in a few years, and tasks and projects and goals with high impact that will make a difference, in your career, in your life, in the lives of others.
4. What am I doing to help others?
Kind of ironically, you get the most out of life not just by taking what you can for yourself, but by giving to others. What have you done lately to help people out? Have you been kind to people? Have you been compassionate? Have you been there for anyone? Listened? Volunteered for those in need? If you're not doing anything to help others, this is a good time to figure out one thing you can do for someone, and put it into action. Ask this question on a regular basis, and you'll make kindness a habit.
5. Am I as good a person as I want to be?I ask this of myself all the time. Sometimes, when I'm impatient or selfish or less-than-helpful, I think back on what I've said and done and realize that I could have done better. Instead of beating myself up about it, I endeavor to try harder, to remember to allow my better angels to guide me, to rise above the trivialities of life to a higher plane.
It's not easy to be a good person, at least not all of the time. It's easier to be selfish, without thinking about it. But is that how you want to be remembered? Is that how you want to live your life? Give it some thought, and act accordingly.
6. What am I doing to live life with passion, health and energy?You can do all the right things, and yet live a life that's dull and sluggish. If you let your health go, you will have little energy and you will waste the minutes you have left on illness. Instead, learn to live a healthy life, with good foods and exercise. This will lead to more energy in your life. And then direct that energy into something you're passionate about. If you haven't found that passion (or passions), start looking. You'll thank me. :)
This story, first published on Zen Habits [2] /
http://www.guideposts.com/story/get-a-life
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12/7/09

Successful? I'm Working On It

There have been so many times that I've wanted to stop dead in my tracks, drop everything, scream, fall on floor, curl up on floor, and cry like a baby!!!! Family, work, school, volunteer efforts, and life in general seem to kick my ass!!!

A while back, I decided to look online for online help, tips, advice, as well as other things and decided that the best medicine for what I need, (other than a shot of whiskey every hour) was the support and advice from other over extended women like myself.
In this blog I hope to give a little comfort as well as get some comfort.
Monthly I'll be posting links, advice, and (hopefully) helpful tips to all you over worked, unappreciated, over extended women who feel the same way I do.
If you have any tips, suggestions, or even the need to scream, cuss, or vent,
Please feel free
This Blog Is For You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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